Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-11-10
. WINNING A WIFE.
JEFFDAyIs, TRUE LOVE STORY
Uncle George Green's Story OF the
Way the Young Lieutenant Won
s His Bride.
[From the Chicago Tribune. |

should always think of him then. He
was a dashing young officer, as knew
him, inclined to be oyerbearing in bis
ways, never deigning to laok at those
he thought beneath him In social posi-
tion or rank. lie was a gallant lover,
and il was no wonder that the beauti
ful daughter of Col. Taylor fell in love
with him here. She was a romantic
young creature, as remember her, and
was the one bright and refining ihtlu-
ence thrown around the rough camp
life. ., yes, she worshipped young
Davis. But her father, grim old war
rior that he was, could not tolerate
JEFF Davis, and wheS he saw that his
daughter was continually unhappy un-
less in the company of the young Of
iicer, he determined on separating them,
and accordingly sent his daughter from
Fort Crawford, Wis, where he was
stationed, 70 a convent in Baton Rouge.
His dislike OF Davis grew into posi-
tive hatred, and much unpleasantness
was the result.
''In a few days after the departure
of the daughter, Davis presented him
with document which required his
signature. 1t was an order from Gen.
Wayne granting furlough to Davis.
The wary old Col. saw through the ruse
in moment, and he at first refused to
sign the order, but could not well per-
sist in this INSTRUMENTATION or he would
be guilty of contempt. The order had
come from his superior officer. and lie
must sign it, and with blSck scowl on
his face, he affixed his signature to tie
official document. jeff was now free
for thirty days, and he lost no time in
fastening to Baton Rouge to join his
sweetheart. Col. Taylor was a man OF
great determination, as he arterward
showed in the Mexican war and in the
Presidential chair. He despatched his
swiftest messengers to bring his daug,
ter home by circuitous route and thus
thwart the young officer who was hur
rying to meet her. The girl was brought
backto the parental roof and ,after spend
ing the greater part of his furlough in
st. Louis, Davis returned 10 Fort
Crawford. Old Captain Taylor could
fight The Indians, and would rather
haye met whole tribe than contend
with the domestic troubles that low
assailtd him. He had built log house
just on side the StOckade, and here his
fair daughter strained her beautiful
eyes&s she watched the surface of the
river tor the coming OF her loyer. Af-
ter the return of Davis 10 Fort Craw-
ford the coldness which hitherto ex-
sisted betwean himself and Col. Taylor
grew more frigid. The young woman
pined away in the seclusion of The log
hut, and the young officer hidei his
time when be might take his intended
from her fathers roof stealthily, and in
the night The father knew the charac-
ter of the man he had to deal with, and
watched his daughter closely. Now, it
has been disputed .hat jeff Davis took
his young woman from her fathers
house IN the night, but am ready to
tell what know and stand by it."
You see it happened this way My
name is George Green, aud | am 81
years old if live Gntilnext November.
1t was aht ut 1891. or near that time
when |. with a number of others, went
up the Mississippi River on steamer
to visit the Falls of ST. Anthony. We
left the steamer where ST. Paul now is
and went over to the Falls, remaining
) so long that when we returned the boat
was gone. Nothing remained for US to
do but to buy large canoe from the
Indians, which we did, and fla,ed
down the river to Fort Crawford. At
that time there was slough separating
the few houses which constituted the
village from the trading post and the
fort on the bank of the river. | thought
| might make some money by using the
canoe as ferry boat across this slough,
and bought out the interest of my
partners. accordingly established my
ferry. and jeff Davis was one of my pa
irons. did not like his pompous ways
for when he paid his passage he always
threw The moneJ into my hand as
though be was throwing money to a
beggar. One day he cone to me and
asked me if could safely row two per
sons across the river, and replied that
Icould, Shortly after he came again
and seemed TO be somewhat excited as
he asked me to be on hand that evening
with my canoe. lie was more gracious
in his manner, and gave me some money
as guarantee of good faith. Ibid not
know that was to be party TO an
elopement or might have objected to
doing wrong action against Col. Tay
lor, for whom I had the highest regard.
1t came out however, that | was at the
slough after the sun W ent down, and
waited patiently for the young officer.
II had waited some time when |
heard footsteps. and turning, saw
jeff Dayis and Col. Taylor's daughter
hurrying toward me. Not word was
spoken as he lifted her tender)y to a
seat in the canoe, and followed taking
up my paddle. We went down the
slough to where it joined the river.
The young woman teen to cry softly as
: we swept into the stream. and jeff drew